Spyker To Source B6 Venator’s V-6 Engine From Lotus

At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show back in March, Spyker revealed a concept version of a new, more accessible sports car the company was planning, the B6 Venator. At the time of its unveiling, Spyker said the B6 Venator was powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivering more than 375 horsepower. Since the concept’s unveiling, Spyker has confirmed a 2014 production date and revealed a B6 Venator Spyder.

What the company is still being coy about, however, are mechanical details. Fortunately, the Dutch version of Autoweek has managed to get its hands on a copy of a letter sent by Spyker CEO Victor Muller to potential customers, and in the letter it is revealed that Spyker will be sourcing engines for the B6 Venator from Lotus.

Lotus already supplies some components for Spyker’s C8 Aileron but now the 3.5-liter V-6 from the British automaker’s Evora sports car, which shares a block with a Toyota V-6, will also be shipped out to Spyker. In standard form this engine delivers 276 horsepower, but with a supercharger attached it delivers 345 horsepower. Additional tuning should see Spyker reach its target of more than 375 horsepower.

Matched to the engine will be a six-speed automatic, though it’s not clear where Spyker will source the unit. It’s also not clear what platform the B6 Venator will be based on, though there are rumors the car will be based on the former Artega GT's underpinnings.

Also in the letter Muller revealed that the first 100 B6 Venator customers will receive a special version of the sports car developed with Chronoswiss. The Swiss watch manufacturer is already responsible for some of the gauges featured in previous Spyker cars. Finally, the letter reveals that production will start in November of 2014 and that interested customers will need to forward a 20,000 euro ($27,000) deposit. A final price is yet to be announced though Spyker has previously said it will be about $150,000 for the coupe.